505 Days in Gaza: Omer Shem Tov Shares His Journey of Survival

Omer Shem Tov spent 505 days in Hamas captivity after being abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7. Released in early 2025, he has now published his debut book, "Meeting Myself in Hell," published by Sella Meir.

Surviving Captivity and the Release

Reflecting on his ordeal, Shem Tov recalls the moment of his release, when a terrorist forced him to kiss his forehead on stage. Although initially ashamed and fearing public perception, he later understood that the public viewed it as an act of courage under pressure. In June 2025, the IDF and Shin Bet eliminated the Nukhba terrorist, Sabei Abu Hasna, who had held Shem Tov and forced him to perform the gesture.

Shem Tov describes the extreme isolation, constant hunger, and horrific bombings he endured. For 50 days, he was held alone in a pitch-black, tiny cell. "The darkness choked me at first," he says. "But it was also the period when I was most connected to myself and to God."

"I used to think that once all the hostages returned home, I would be free from the obligation to talk about myself, but I realized I cannot escape it. It is better to make lemonade out of lemons than to be bitter."

A New Chapter and Moving Forward

Now, a year and a half after regaining his freedom, Shem Tov lives life at full speed. He travels, maintains close bonds with fellow former hostages like Elia Cohen, and recently completed acting studies in New York. Writing the book was a grueling mental and physical process, forcing him to revisit painful memories he had tried to suppress.

Despite the lingering trauma, including severe triggers from sudden noises and memories of combat, Shem Tov refuses to let the past define him negatively. When asked what advice he would give to someone going through their own private tunnel of darkness, he replies: "Do not worry, trust the journey, and instead of shying away from the darkness, make friends with it."